Quotes of the week, August 22

“As I was going up through the industry, I would often get accusations that I was sleeping my way through the business. There was this view that I wasn’t getting these opportunities or climbing the ladder through my own skills, tenacity, strength or talent – that there had to be something else going on as well. It’s shocking to say it out loud – and I don’t think I’ve ever said it out loud – but it means I had to work that much harder, putting in more energy and time to prove myself.” – Producer Sonia Friedman (New York Times)

“Honestly, I can’t handle reviews and so I don’t read them. I haven’t for years. Neither mine nor anyone else’s. I wasn’t sure how this would work as an AD, but my colleagues at the theatre know this about me and so they just give me an overview and get me to sign off on marketing quotes and inform me of controversial comments if they occur. It seems to work okay.” – Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus (Evening Standard)

“I have a very obsessive mind, so I love working on a play’s structure. I’m also fascinated by what goes unsaid. An actor can say yes, and you hear no. A sentence can be just the tip of an emotion, a desire. I like art that’s disconcerting, that leaves space for the audience by not giving them all the answers.” – Playwright Florian Zeller (Financial Times)

“The Edinburgh Fringe has become infected with the same toxicity the rest of the UK has. Friends have been victims of homophobic abuse, ignorance, unexamined bias and misogyny. The idea that the arts are the playground of the privileged seems to be fully embraced there.” – Actors Touring Company artistic director Matthew Xia (Twitter)

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